Aaron's Montana Bride (Sweet, Clean Western Historical Romance)(Montana Ranchers and Brides Series) Read Online Free Page A

satisfying smack.
    Jude staggered back, his mouth gaping open. He raised a hand to his cheek and his eyes widened.
    "Why did you do that, Eva?" he demanded. His voice was loud now, all pretense at persuasion gone. Eva could hear the indignation in his tone.
    "I will never be your wife, Arabin. Do you understand?"
    At that moment Jude seemed to give up all pretense at maintaining his composure. He reached out and grabbed Eva's wrist. Eva took a step back. What was the man doing? She suddenly felt a surge of fear. Maybe she'd gone too far. Perhaps she'd misjudged Jude. She knew he had a temper, had seen it on many occasions in the way that he handled the men. But right now she felt a basic, primal surge of fear.
    His hand was tight on her wrist, his fingers like thick, hardened cords on her soft skin. Eva's heart started to race and she opened her mouth to call out to Mrs. Bell.
    Then Eva heard a voice call out, and she sensed the presence of someone moving behind Jude. Before she knew it, large firm hands were being placed over Jude's narrow shoulders. Jude let go Eva's wrist and whirled around to face whoever had seized him.
    Then Eva saw who it was. She gasped.
    It was Aaron Stewart. Where had Aaron come from? It didn't matter. He was here.
    "Now come on, Jude. That's no way to treat a lady, let alone someone who pays your wages," Aaron said with a steady voice, his eyes locked firmly on Jude's face.
    The foreman leaned back against the door and looked up at the slightly taller rancher.
    Eva's breath was still fast, and her heart hadn't slowed it's furious beating. She gazed at the man who was her neighbour, realizing just how glad she was to see him.
    "Aaron...Mr. Stewart. I didn't see you arrive," she said, trying to compose herself. Eva rubbed her wrist. There would be bruises. But that wasn't the worst of how Jude had treated her. Not by a long shot.
    Aaron's blue eyes fixed on Eva. "Are you okay Miss. Gillespie?" he asked her, genuine concern on his features.
    Eva pushed some loose hairs away from her face and nodded. "I'm fine," she stated realizing just how fast her breathing had become. Eva tugged on her gown and straightened her skirt, trying desperately to seem composed, in control, even if she felt anything but in charge of the situation.
    What was Aaron doing here? And then Eva recalled she'd asked him to come over, so they could talk over a few things. Details of how they could sort out some of the long standing disputes Aaron and her father had had. But those things seemed completely irrelevant now. Eva wondered what Aaron was going to do to Jude. The look on Aaron's face was grim and serious. But, the truth was, Eva had never been more relieved to see Aaron Stewart.
    "Look here, Jude," Aaron said leaning close up to Arabin. "What do you think you were doing? You know that laying a hand on a woman like that is just plain unacceptable," he said.
    Arabin rubbed his still reddened face. "Did you see what she did?" he demanded.
    Aaron glanced at Eva. His gaze was still and steady. For a moment Eva wondered what Aaron was going to say.
    "I think Eva was only doing what she had every right to do, Jude. Especially when you raised that hand of your's."
    Arabin whirled and looked at Eva. "We were only talking. Isn't that right Miss. Gillespie?"
    Eva's eyes narrowed. She sighed. "We might have been talking Jude. But that didn't give you the right to do what you did," she said.
    Arabin shook his head. He looked like he knew he wasn't going to win any argument. Especially with the tall figure of Aaron Stewart leaning over him. "I was only trying to explain something to Eva."
    "Looked like you were doing a whole lot more than explaining," Aaron said. He stepped into the hallway and took his place by Eva's side. Eva was suddenly aware of just how much taller than her Aaron was. "Now I think an apology is in order. Don't you think. Jude?"
    Arabin's brows furrowed. He peered at Eva and Aaron standing side by side. If felt good